Has anyone done any major remodeling or renovating during pregnancy? It’s highly unlikely that painting or being around paint fumes while you’re pregnant will harm your unborn baby, as the risk from most modern household paints is very low. There are two small holes that I'll be using aluminum patches for and there are some dings and dents in the walls which I would like to use joint compound on, as well. We are! Lead-based paint was commonly used prior to the 1970s, so pregnant women should avoid removing old paint because of the risk of lead exposure. To clean drywall dust, start by sweeping up any dust on the floors, using short, gentle strokes so you don't stir it up into the air. I was really hesitant about this due to the dust particles, etc. Absolutely everything came out floor to ceiling. If pesticides are used outdoors, close all windows and turn off air conditioning to prevent fumes from coming into the house. Our square is centered 1 in. A new baby in the mix would make it a little more difficult. Main thing that's driving me crazy is being unable to really clean/tidy/prep the nursery with all the boxes everywhere!! I will go over and have dinner with my SO and watch a movie but that's the most time I'll spend in there. I'm not worried about the dust or anything, it didn't even occur to me that it might be bad for the baby. This educational content is not medical or diagnostic advice. Notch for electrical cables if necessary. I think you'll be fine to go home when you want. © 2021 Everyday Health, Inc. There are also health effects to look out for. How many weeks were you when you did yours? Ours is not a house with asbestos or lead in it, however. Are you sure you want to delete your discussion? I think paint fumes aren't great so perhaps if you are painting stay out of that room for a while and keep the windows open as much as you can. Sathyanarayana says pregnant women and young children should avoid dust and fumes from renovations. Hopefully the demo will be done soon and I can go back to my house for the rest of the remodel. I think I may be overly paranoid lol. reviewed by our medical review board and team of experts. We are in the process of building a house and I requested they use only low/no VOC paint & primer but of course they quoted us a very expensive price. Don’t get caught off guard. To enable Verizon Media and our partners to process your personal data select 'I agree', or select 'Manage settings' for more information and to manage your choices. Finally, spot clean any lingering dust with the damp cloth. Substances that can cause birth defects are called "teratogens." And pregnancy hormones have softened your connective tissue, ligaments and tendons, making you more prone to injury. I'd stay out of the area as much as you can. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, exposure to lead paint increases the likelihood of lead poisoning and mental retardation. Learn more about, Your Guide to the First Trimester of Pregnancy, Your Guide to the Second Trimester of Pregnancy. It can also affect kidney and liver function, … Virtually ubiquitous in our buildings, gypsum board is widely seen as an innocuous building material. For the study, NIOSH also bought drywall-joint compound at stores in Ohio, to test for minerals and examined 8 of the workers for health problems. Allergies. but we had our paint tested to make sure it wasn't lead based and also tested for asbestos and both tests came back negative which was good. The dust is just annoying; doubt it is that harmful. Hoping the madness ends soon! Completely torn and redone. Find out more about how we use your information in our Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy. My father in law is doing the whole remodel himself and he did discover a little black mold growing behind the shower which I am glad he caught early! The only day he banished me from the house completely was when the spray foam insulation went in, as those fumes get pretty nasty. Pregnancy involves a lot of preparation. I am 27 weeks and we are undergoing a complete bathroom remodel right now with everything gutted out and then new stuff put in. Drywall joint compounds are made from many ingredients (i.e., talc, calcite, mica, gypsum, silica). It's been dusty and yucky.. Construction workers who sand drywall joint compound are often exposed to high concentrations of dusts and, in some cases, respirable silica. Keep Windows open to air out chemicals. I've been staying at my mothers the last few weeks though. We renovated our master bed/bath while pregnant, and replaced all the floors upstairs. We and our partners will store and/or access information on your device through the use of cookies and similar technologies, to display personalised ads and content, for ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. More because we didn't have a decent toilet for almost a week and I obviously need that all day and night. I was pregnant with my first at about 27 weeks. Screw through the 2x6 from the backside to secure the mantel. Next, you’ll need to cut the hole in a wall that’s the size of the wall-pass-through, and frame the edges of the hole with lumber. I was a total nag about getting the renovation done BEFORE baby arrived, though. He's almost finished and we are replacing all of the carpet Tuesday so I'll probably move in shortly after. Are you sure you want to delete your comment? As a powder, it’s potentially extremely hazardous when burnt as it can release toxic fumes. ... You will want to protect your possessions from drywall dust and safeguard yourself against potential allergies. If you're living in a high-risk house and you've noticed respiratory issues, nose bleeds, rashes, headaches, coughing and sinus problems, you could be suffering from issues tied to toxic drywall. First of all, your center of gravity and balance changes as your belly grows, leaving you much more at risk of falls. You will also need to allow for any clearance around the fireplace that is required by the manufacturer's instructions. However, in the last decade, Chinese drywall … The guys had me leave when they were using stuff that was toxic, but the only issue with the dust is the mess! Before you got pregnant, you probably never thought twice about polishing your nails or changing kitty litter. I did as much of it as I could including sanding drywall and painting. I did as much of it as I could including sanding drywall and painting. Some homeowners claim that the gases corrode copper wires and pipes, causing significant damage within the walls of their homes. Just taking frequent breaks and keeping it ventilated.. Yep! We've got a contractor in redoing our whole basement! So excited to have everything done and extra space in the house!! Create an account or log in to participate. Toxic fumes and gases from your attached garage can find their way into your living space and pollute indoor air. We are finishing our basement. We didn't do as big of a remodel as you are but we took down a wall. Good luck with the remodel. In Louisiana, Jeffrey Mayfield, 32, said his wife was pregnant with their second child when they discovered Chinese drywall in their home in Madisonville, a New Orleans suburb. I have a few small patches i have been mudding that need to be sanded. Am I being overly paranoid? Cars, mowers, paints, and lubricants contain or generate toxic substances that can enter your home through open doors, gaps around closed doors, ducts, and other wall and ceiling penetrations. Poisonous gases are released and it’s a carcinogen too – capable of causing cancer. Drywall is used to build new homes and to upgrade existing homes with remodeling projects. (HealthNewsDigest.com) - ProPublica's Joaquin Sapien reports that another baby, four-and-a-half-month-old Jaxson Garza, has died of undetermined causes in military housing at Fort Bragg, N.C., bringing the total of mysterious infant deaths to 12. Dr. James N. Allen Jr., a clinical professor of internal medicine at Ohio State University, writes that airway irritation related to fiberglass "can sometimes trigger asthma symptoms" in those previously diagnosed, potentially worsening his condition 4. It’s because as the baby grows and all your internal organs shift around, your center of gravity is altered. Older homes built before 1978 likely contain lead in the interior and exterior paint. I’ve never heard of anyone being sensitive to “fumes” from drywall work. Inhale these toxic fumes while pregnant and it can get into your blood stream and directly affect the fetus. It was done in the nick of time. As long as you aren't literally inhaling the dust as he's working and are cleaning up every night, I think you'll be fine though. The researchers found the workers' main complaints related to the dust were eye irritation and nasal congestion. I have been stressed out. Every night I wipe a thick layer of dust off of EVERYTHING. … He put up a plastic walkway from the bathroom through the kitchen that leads to our backyard to dispose of the old materials. This action cannot be undone. The only day he banished me from the house completely was when the spray foam insulation went in, as those fumes get pretty nasty. Over the years, some studies show exposure to solvents may increase the risk of having a miscarriage and heavy continued solvent exposure may raise the risk of birth defects and learning problems—so using oil-based paint or being around fumes during pregnancy is … Drywall, which makes up 15% of demolition and construction waste, leaches toxins and releases hydrogen sulfide gas in landfills. He put a screen up but there's still dust settled around our main floor. In 2013, he approved settlements involving thousands of homes and other buildings with drywall from German-owned Knauf Plasterboard Tianjin Co. I plan on wearing a dust mask, having the windows open & the vacumn going to suck up as much dust as possible. Drywall mud doesn’t usually emit much in the way of fumes while it’s drying. The New York City Department of Health reports that regular or high levels of exposure could spur a person's asthma. We are all fine and a year later, I'm still finding dust in the oddest of places. Anyone else go through any remodel during pregnancy? Over time, breathing the dust from drywall joint compounds may cause persistent throat and airway irritation, coughing, phlegm production, and breathing difficultie… So that the joints between the large pieces of drywall don’t show, your installer will … Many people are bothered by the dust though, so try to keep the dust contained. Just about everything including the drywall and electrical was ripped out and replaced. All Categories. But not too "chemical-ly" .. We live in a 140 year old house so my biggest concern is the possibility of asbestos. It's being painted this weekend, but the worst is over. I am just nervous that there might be some dust missed that could be laying around when I do go back home. Meaning new walls, electric, drywall, the works! You can change your choices at any time by visiting Your Privacy Controls. The views expressed in community are solely the opinions of participants, and do not reflect those of What to Expect. Many parents with growing families want to remodel or expand their homes and think they’re using “green” or safe products when they install or repair drywall in their homes. This action cannot be undone. So excited to have everything done and extra space in the house!!